Character-recording device



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CHARACTER RECORDING DEVICE.

(Application led Aug. 17, 1895.)

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No. 6|6,655. Patented Dec. 27, |898.

J. F. ENGLE & U. WED-GE.

CHARACTER' RECORDING DEvlcE. (Application led Aug. 17; 1895.)

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No. 6|6,655. Patented Dec. 27, |898. J. F. ENGLE & U. WEDGE. CHARACTER BECCRDING DEVICE.

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No. 6|6,655. Patented Dec. 27, |898. J. F. ENGLE U. IWEDGE.

CHARACTER BECURDING DEVICE.

(Application led Aug. 1'7, 1895.) (No Model.) ls sheets-sheet 4.

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(Application filed Aug. 17, 1895.)

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No. 6I6,855. Patented Dec. 27, i898.

J. F. ENGLEv U. WEDGE.

,CHARACTER RECORDING DEVICE.

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(Application med'ug, 17, 1895.)

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Patented Dec 27, |898 J. F. ENGLE U. WEDGE. CHARACTER RECORDING DEVICE.

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No. 6|6,655. Patent-ed Dec. 27, |898. J. F. ENGLE U. WEDGE.

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No. 6|.6,655. Patented Dec. 27, |898. J. F. ENGLE & U. WEDGE.

CHARACTER RECORDING DEVICE.

(Application med Aug. 1v. 1395.

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No. 616,655. Patented Dec. 27,1898.

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CHARACTER RECORDING DEVICE.

(Aypnmidn man Aug.' 11, 1895.). (No Model.) I6 Sheets-Shaw I6.

WITNEESES @Ww INVENTUHS wm I@ MS ATTUHNEY llNrTnD STATES PATENT rr'rc'n.

JOHN F. ENGLE AND UTLEY IVEDGE, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO;

CHARACTER-RECORDING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming pero ef Lettere Patent No. 616,65 5, dated :oeeemieel` 27, 189e. Application filed August 17,1895. Serial No, 559,671. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN F. ENGLE and UTLEY IVEDGE, citizens of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invent-ed certain new and useful Improvements in Character Recording or Impressing Devices; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the-invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

Our invention relates to improvements in character recording or impressing devices,

Y and the special features of our device comprise electric operating mechanisms for performing the usual mechanicalmovements incident to the operation of type-writers, such as moving the type-bars from a position of restinto the active or impression position, moving the impression-carriage laterally into position for a new character or space, releasing the carriage-feeding device, moving the impression roller or platen into a new position for a new line, eine. These movements hitherto have been performed manually at the constant expenditure of energy, which soon created the utmost fatigue and became a waste of the most pronounced order. lVith our device we are enabled to conserve all of the energy hitherto wasted, and in consequence operators using our type-writer can attain a speed much in advance of that attained on mechanically-operated machines. Our keyboard may be placed directly adjacent themachine or be removed therefrom some distance, if desired, or two separate keyboards may control one machine. The keyboard is provided with any suitable arrangement of keys, the. In the instance embodied in the accompanying drawings keys are shown for a font ofletters and characters and connected therewith the shift mechanism which directs the type-bar to form three different impressions, according to the position itis allowed to occupy when making its record. This position is determined by certain character-keys, some for a forward end impression, others for a central, and certain ones for a heel or rear end record, thus utilizing each type-bar for three characters or combinations without the necessity of shifting the platen-carriage.

Other keys are provided for moving the carriage into a new position when forming a new character or a space and separate keys for moving the carriage a normal space, as stated, or twice the normal space, or three times this distance. There are also keys for rotating the impression or platen roller either one line or single space, two, or three, as desired.

IVe provide a carriage-feed release which is operated manually orin an automatic manner by a stop which may be adjusted and placed into any predetermined position, so as to stop the movement of the carriage in one direction, this stop enabling the operator to execute the work with any desired width of margin. In order that a maximum speed may be attained, we move the impression or platen carriage into its starting position7 from the left-hand side of the machine by a spring, which automatically returns the carriage so soon as the end of the line is reached without any manual effort on the part of the operator.

The usual scale-plate, paper guide and holders, index-linger, and inking-pads are provided, as well as the means for holding the type-bars in alineinent at their front and rear ends, and a pneumatic cushion is also provided for the type-bars to strike on at about the time they engage the paper upon the impression-roller.

Our writer makes possible visible writing in the fullest sense of the word in that the entire page is visible at all times. Neither are we limited to any special length or width of paper which can be used. This latter statement is especially true in respect to the extra width of margin which can be allowed on extra wide paper, in addressing envelops, filling in insurance and other blanks, the.

The accompanying drawings illustrate such instances of adaptation as apply to specific type-writer functions, though some of our features are equally applicable to type setting, forming, or matrix-making machines without departing from the spirit of our invention as instanced in the adaptation shown and described.

The illustrations referred to comprise the following iigures, of which Figure l is a diagrammatic perspective view of the forward portion of our device with IOO the keyboard omitted, portions being broken away to disclose the arrangement of parts. Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the rear portion of the machine. Fig. 3 is an end elevation, partly in section, with the carriage-feed portions removed. Fig. t is a plan view of the base-plate and supportingbrackets. Fig. 5 is a plan View of the baseplate, with the feed-actuating devices in their respective positions. Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the impression roller or platen and the arrangement of the type-bars in relation thereto. Fig. 7 is a side elevationl of the feed mechanism, showing the partsin their relation when the greatest movement is imparted to the feed-screw. Fig. 8 shows the parts illustrated in Fig. 7 at their intermediate position. Fig. 9 shows the portions of Fig. 7 at the minimum position. Fig. 10 is an end elevation of the impression-carriage and attachments. Fig. l1 is a rear elevation of the impression-carriage. Fig. 12 is a crosssectional view of the impression-roller. Fig. 13 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the ratchet and stop motions for the feed-screw. Fig. 1l is a top plan view of the ink-pads. Fig. 15 is a side elevation of the ink-pads. Fig. 16 is a front elevation of the forward alining-plate. Fig. 17 is a top plan view of the paper-feed mechanism. Fig. 18 is a top plan view of the carriagefeedrelease mechanism. Fig. 19 is an elevation of the marginal stop. Fig. 2O is a top plan view of the keyboard. Fig. 21 is a side elevation in section of the keyboard. Fig. 22 is a front elevation of the keyboard. Fig. 23 is a diagrammatic View showing the relation of the different keys of the keyboard and the respective functions which they are to perform. Fig. 24 is a diagrammatic view of the keyboard, showing the functions controlled thereby which are not shown in Fig. 23. Fig. 25 is a diagrammatic View of the keys of the keyboard and the circuit connections therefrom. Fig. 26 is a diagrammatic view amplifying the circuit connections shown in Fig. 25, the same being connected with the respective portions of the device which are to be controlled thereby. Fig. 27 is a perspective view of the key-controlling switch which controls the charging-circuit of the storage-cells. Fig. 28 is a diagrammatic plan view of a single machine controlled by two separate keyboards and the electrical connections for the same. Fig. 29 is an enlarged rear view perspective. Fig. 30 is a detail view showing the face or impression-forming surface of the type-bars and the characters borne thereon.

Our type-bar actnating,alining, inking,and shifting details are as follows:

The base 1 of the machine at its forward side is provided with two frames 2, which rise in pyramidal form and are joined together at their upper ends bya support for theinking-pads 62. At the base two semicircular supports 97 are provided,which hold the pairs of magnets 95 (or imp) for imparting the impression movement to the type-bars 78 and 79. In front of the magnets 95, at a slightlyhigher elevation, is another semicircular su pport 91 for a series of single magnets 90 (or sel) and their armatures 88, which are piv-V oted at 89. One magnetis provided for each type-bar.

Above the type-bar magnets 90 are two similarly-shaped supports 84, which serve to hold the bell-crank type-bar impression-arms 8O in two ban ks. The type-bar toggle-directing arms 74 and 77 are supported above the upper bank just referred to, and between their support 75 and the inking-pads 62 is placed the support 69 for the type-bar-shifting magnets 68 and 70.

In front and below the inking-pads 62 we place a segmental shell 81, which is provided with as many slots 82 as there are type-bars 78 and 79. The type-bar bell-cranks 8O move in the slots 82. This shell 81 serves to keep the rear ends of the type-bars 78 and 79 in perfect lateral alinement. The front or impression ends 98 of the bars 78 and 79 are kept in lateral alinement bya comb-plate7 161, which is placed to the rear of the inking-pads 62. Each type-bar moves into its own comb-slot as it makes its impression on the paper.

The vertical alinement upon the written sheet is secured by forming an adjustable stop 65 in front of a stepped projection of the type-bar togglearms 74, so as to limit the forward movement of the type-bars 78 and 79. This adjustable stop 65 comprises two pairs of electromagnets 68 and 70, one pair, 70, being larger than the other, 68. Above the larger set is placed an armature-plate 63, having a semicircular flange 65 formed thereon, which forms the stop against which the type-bar toggle-arm projection abuts. This stepped projection has steps 71, 72, and 73, and it is rigidly secured to the toggle-arm 74. This toggle-arm is connected to its corresponding type-bar by a link 77. The arm itself is pivoted at 76 in the support 75.

The armature-plate 63 is held up in its toe or T position by a suitable spring placed on the pivot 61. (See T, Fig. 26.) NVhen the armature-plate is in its second or middle or M position the large magnets are energized, but the smaller ones, 68, are not. (See M, Fig. 26.) If it is desired to move the armature-plate 63 into its third or heel or H position, both magnets 68 and 70 are energized, the smaller one, 68, drawing up its armature-plate 63 of the large magnets 70. (See H, Fig. 26.) The limit-armature 66, as stated, is drawn up until its free end registers with an opening 64 in the large armature-plate 63, when the full attraction of the large magnets 7 O becomes effective in moving this armature into its third or heel (H) position.

There are as many stepped type-bar toggle-arm projections as there are type-bars 78 and 79, and the one armature-plate 63 serves for all of them. All of the type-bars 78 and 79 IOO IIO

cushion upon the pneumatic cushion 59, placed directly to the rear of the ink-pads 62, and these bars are arranged radially, (see Fig. 6,) so as to make their impressions at the same location, all of them successively striking the cushion 59, thus entirely obviating the noise inherently present in other machines. This pneumatic cushion can be inflated more or less, according to the different requirements of service under which the type-writer may be operated, the indation usually being the greatest when the most rapid speed is to be attained. It is of course obvious that we do not limit ourselves to the use of apneumatic cushion in connection with an electricallyoperated type-writer, using the same in connection with any kind of machine being` no departure from the merits of the invention.

A suitable index-finger 5S projects from behind the ink-pad support GO toward the front of the impression-roller 101, and it serves to point on the carriage-scale 55, where a succeeding impression will be made This nger 5S passes above the scale 55,which is fastened to the portion 49 of the carriage-frame, so as not to interfere with the free movement of the carriage adjacent the ink-pads 02.

As the shifting-magnets G8 and 70 are operated the type-bars 78 and 79 are either impressed upon the paper at the toe (T) point, middle (A1,) or heel (11,) according to the position of the shifting-magnet armatures 63 and G6, and so long as these armatures are maintainedin any one ofthe three positions the vertical alinement will be absolutely positive.

The type-bars 73 and 79 at their ends opposite to the character-dies 9S are pivoted to bell-cranks SO, one bell-crank being provided for each type-bar. These bell-cranks are arranged in two simicircular groups, being pivoted at S5 in curved castings S4, which are fastened to the pyramidal frames 2. About midway of the length of the type-bars 7S and 79 there are placed lin ks 77, which are pivoted to the other portion 74 of the toggle-arms. This portion 74 is pivoted at 76 in a semicircular casting 75, which extends between the side frames 2 of the machine.

The type-bar bell-cranks SO have theirshort arm connected by links S6 to equalizing-bars S7,wl1ich have depen ding projections 92, having hook ends 93 formed thereon7 which are engaged by the impression magnets 95 through theircurved armature-plates 94, and thus the type-bars 78 and 79 are successively delivered to a common location and theirimpressions are recorded by the same movement thatA delivers them to the impression position. There are two sets of impression-magnets 95 and two armature-plates 94, (see Fig. 1,) one set serving one half of all the type-bars and the other set serving the other half.

The force of the impact of the type upon the impression-roller is a constant factor on account of the electromagnets 95 exerting a constant tractive force for all characters. Hence uniformity and speed of operation are 4length or width of paper.

attained which is impossible where the impact is an unknown variable factor, as in manually-operated machines. The uniformity of effect does not depend upon the skill of the operator, and a novice would be able to execute work having as uniform impression as the most skilled expert.

In order that the impression-magnets 95 may serve a large number of type-bars in common, we provide a series of selecting-magnets 90, one for each type-bar,'that attract their armature-arms S8, which are pivoted at S9, when the -corresponding key of the keyboard makes active the electric circuit which includes the magnet that is to select the typebar containing the desired character. The selecting-armature levers 88 are pivotally connected to their respective equalizing-bars 87, and as these armatures are attracted the equalizing-bars 87 are moved endwise, carrying their depending hook-ended projections 92 into the path of the impression-magnet armature 94. A single key controls the magnets 95 and the selecting-magnet 90, which is being used. The small magnet has less selfinduction than the large one. Hence it acts quicker, so as to draw the equalizing-bars into position before the impressing-magnets actuate their armatures.

lf desired,the keys might be so arranged as to first make connection to the selecting-magnet and upon being moved to the end of its stroke make another connection for the impressiomthus preceding the impressing movements by the selecting.

The carriage is open in the center (see Fig. 3) between its forward or scale support 52 and the rear or impression-roller support 121, so as to allow the free insertion of the desired Each of these supportsis substantially T-shaped, the lower end of the stems being provided with antifrictionrollers 54 on stem 52 and 153 on stem 121. They travel upon suitable tracks 7 and 8, which are placed parallel to the path of travel of the impression or platen roller 101. Track 8 is the forward one and 7 is the rear one.

In order that the platen-roller 101 may be carried in absolute parallelism in a horizontal plane with the carriage-tracks 7 and 3, we provide an inserted skeleton U-sha-ped frame 47 at each end of the rear T-support 121 and plain pivoted standards 48 for the forward or scale support 52. 47, serving the rear support 121, are pivoted together at points 135 and 136 near their upper ends by the base of an inverted rightangled triangle 134. Links 139 connect from near the upper ends of these supports 47 to the intersection 137 of the hypoten use and the vertical lines of the angle. The U-shaped frames 47 and plain standards 4S are pivoted at their lower ends in suitable bearings through their respective pivotal shafts 46, which are supported upon brackets 3 and 4. It will thus be seen that as the T-supports 52 and 121 are moved laterally the impres- IOO IIO

The pair of U-frames sion-roller101 will be maintained parallel Wi th the tracks 7 and 3.

In order that the impression-roller 101 may be moved along on its supporting-tracks 7 and 3 without the expenditure of manual energy, we place at the bottom of the rear T- support 121 a half-nut 130, pivoted at 123, and directly beneath the same We place a Worm-screw 11, which extends the full Width of the machine parallel with the carriagetracks 7 and 3. This screw 11 at one end contains either a pinion or a trundle Wheel 14, as shown in Fig. 7. A cam 15 is also placed at this end of the shaft. The cam 15, through its notch 1G, serves to limit the rotation of the feed-screw 11, and thus positively stops and holds the carriage and roller 101 in its impression position.

The feed-screw pinion 14 meshes with an idling spur-gear 13, having another pinion 29 upon its hub which meshes with a second spur-gear 30. The spur-gear 30 has secured thereto a ratchet 27, which is engaged by a suitably-arranged pawl 25 whenever the electromagnet 32, controlling the same, is energized.` The train of gears 14, 13, 20, and 30 are so timed in relation to the-stop portion 1G of the cam 15 on the feed-screw shaft 11 and the number of teeth on the ratchet gear 27 that one revolution of the feed-screw 11 is made for each tooth of the ratchet 27.

The movement of the ratchet-wheel 27 is eected as follows: A long arm 21 is placed at Jthe left-hand side of the machine, having its one end pivoted at 22 toward the front of the machine base-frame 1 and its free end terminating in an armature 31 adjacent the actuating-electromagnet 32, (S S.) This arm 21 carries a link 23, which is pivotally connected to a pawl-support 20, which in turn is capable of being rocked upon the hub of the ratchet 27. The outer end of this support carries the pawl 25,which engages the ratchet' 27, and thus imparts motion to the feed-screw 11. The armature-arm 21 also carriesarigid stop 20, which projects therefrom upward to within a short distance of the feed-screw cam 14. Above this stop is placed the free end of a second arm 13, having a suitable pivot at its other end to a bracket 19, depending from the keeper of the magnet 32, the keeper being supported by the casing 33. The free end of arm 13 is provided with a hook 17, which engages the stop 16 of the feed-screw cam 15, thus stopping and holding the feed-screw 11 from rotat on at the proper point. This hookended lever 13 rests upon the stop 20, referred to, by gravity, or it may be springpressed, if desired. The stop projection 20 of the armature-arm 21 moves up and down with the armature, and its action is coincident with the movement of the pawl 25 and ratchet 27, the parts, however, being proportioned so that the hook-ended lever 13 is in position Within the path of the stop 1G of the feed-screw cam 14 before the pawl 25 has moved the full length of its throw.

As previously referred to, the carriage can be moved one, two, or three times its normal movement at one time through the operation of a single or separate key, if desired. This is accomplished as follows: The armaturearm 21 at its free end engages a supplementary armature-lever 33, whose free end is stepped into divisions 35 and 36. Thedistance the lever 33 can be attracted by its magnet 44 (D S) depends upon the position of the auxiliary armature 39, which is controlled by a third magnet 43, (T S.) These two sets of magnets 43 and 44 as their movements are combined or are used independently determine whether the feeding-magnets 32 shall move the feed-screw 11 tWo or three spaces, and when the feeding-magnet 32 alone is used the feed-screw 11 is invariably moved one space only.

The gradation of the feeding is accomplished as follows: The stepped armature 33 is drawn against the auxiliary armature 39, and the feed will be two spaces. Then the auxiliary armature 39 is attracted by magnet 43, its free end passes through an opening 37 in the stepped armature 33,Wliich then allows armature 33 to move its entire distance, in which position it will allow the feeding-magnet 32 to attract its armature 31 the entire distance, thus moving the impression carriage and roller 101 three spaces. The variable feed is utilized in forming triple spaces, or when using such characters as the, tbc., the two-space phase being used for combinations like to, thc., While the single-space feed is utilized in all single characters. The armature 33 is made in spring form,\vhile armature 39 is pivoted at 42 in the casing 33, and spring 40 serves to move it away from the magnet 33 when it is not magnetized. The spring 40 also serves to hold the armature against stop 41 when it is inactive.

Our arrangements for feeding the paper across the impression or platen roller 101 are as follows: The rear T roller-support 121 has two forwardly-projecting bearings wherein the roller 101 revolves. These plates have slots 103 cut therein, so that the roller may be readily removed when desired. The roller at both ends is provided with ratchet-wheels 102 and 210 and is engaged by a pawl 107, that is pivoted to a rock-arm 103, secured to a rear shaft 111, which leads along the onehalf of the upper portion of the T-support 121, and at its center the shaft 111 terminates in a short crank-arm 113, which is connected by a trip-rod 11G, that is supported in suite able bearings 117 and 120 on the center stem of the T-support 121. A spring 113 is secured to the trip-rod 116 to keep itin a raised position. The bottom end of the rod 116 terminates in a foot 14o, which is engaged by a tripping-armature 150, extending the full width of the machine and pivoted at 148 to standards 0. This trip-armature 150 is actuated by suitable magnets 152, held upon support 159 in one direction, and by a spring IOO IIO 

